Yale Coaches Help Raise Money for Tumor Research

Jun 16, 2011

3 Yale Coaches Help Raise Money for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research

EASTON, PA - Yale football coaches, Rick Flanders, Mike Preston and Kyle Metzler, joined forces with college coaches from around the country to take part in the eighth annual Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp on June 5 at Lafayette College. The camp helped raise $80,000 for pediatric brain tumor research.

Over 1,800 high school student-athletes attended the camp. This year's event set records for number of players registered and camper donations.

The camp is the primary fundraiser for Lauren's First and Goal Foundation and all proceeds from the event go directly to its mission of providing financial support for brain tumor research and cancer services, offering financial and emotional support to families living with pediatric cancer, and increasing awareness of the disease.

"It is a day of fellowship that started with a small group of close friends and grew by word of mouth. It is a day that helps me remember just how lucky I am to be in this profession," said Flanders, Yale's associate head coach.

During the one-day camp, players receive instruction in a variety of offensive and defensive skills from college coaches from around the country. Almost 300 coaches representing 100 colleges and universities volunteered at the event. UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni was the featured speaker and addressed the athletes, who came from 16 different states and Singapore.

In addition to the Pennsylvania event, LFG will host its second annual Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp Ohio on Sunday, June 26 at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Student-athletes can register online at http://www.laurensfirstandgoal.org/.

Created in 2004 by John and Marianne Loose in honor of their 14-year-old daughter Lauren, a pediatric brain tumor survivor, LFG has raised $199,658 this year. Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $800,000 toward the fight against pediatric brain tumors and cancer.